Means for and method of assembling metallic articles and the like for shipment



D. F. HEDGES 2,284,616 METHOD OF ASSEMBLING METALLIC ARTICLES AND THE Filed lay May 26, 1942.

MEANS FOR AND IKE FOR SHIPMENT PIE. 1.

Patented May 26, 1942 MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING METALLIC ARTICLES AND THE LIKE FOR SHIPMENT r h Don F. Hedges, Gary, Ind. Application May 13, 1941, Serial No. 393,295

8 Claim's.

This invention relates to the shipping of metallic material and, particularly, to an improved means for and method of assembling articles, such as rods, bars, and the like, into a shipping unit for shipment in railroad cars and the like.

Steel products and other metallic articles of smaller dimension, such as rods, bars, and the like, a.re required to be free from scratches and other surface imperfections on reaching the consumer, as the specifications for surface conditlons on such products are relatively strict. Consequently, it is important that these products be packed and transported so that they will be in the same condition when they reach the consumer as they were when they left the manufacturer, i. e., free from surface imperfections and other damage.

Heretofore, such products were usually banded together and shipped in railroad cars or some other vehicle, being securely locked in position on the car so as to prevent shifting thereof during transit, by means of cumbersome bracing and blocking with an excessive amount of lumber. While such a method of bracing was satisfactory in that it prevented the material or products from moving, it was expensive, both as to materials and to labor, due to the large amount of lumber consumed and time spent in making the-necessary bulkheads and bracing. Also, such a method was tedious and extremely inefllcient.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved means It is another object of the invention to provide an improved means and method for firmly positioning such articles in railroad cars and the like, in which the "amount of materials and labor required is reduced to a minimum, and, at the same time, a means which securely holds the articles in position so as to prevent movement thereof relative to each other and to the transportation vehicle during transit and which will insure the safe shipment thereof.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent during the course of the following specification and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown, for the purpose of illustration, several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a gondola type railroad car showing bundles of rods assembled thereinfor shipment in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end view of a plurality of bundles showing one method of strapping the same together according to my invention;

Figure 5 is a a similar view showing another method of strapping the bundles together; and

Figure 6 is also a similar view showing still another method of strapping the bundles together in accordance with my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the improved method of shipping articles of the class described consists, first, in placing a plurality of bundles of material in a row upon the bed of the railroad car or other transportation vehicle with the bundles extending preferably longitudinally of the same. .JIhere is provided on the bed of the car or vehicle a plurality of spaced apart supporting members 2, and there is arranged between each of the bundles a plurality of spaced apart vertically extending members 3 for holding the bundles in spaced apart relation relative to each other in a horizontal plane. There is similarly arranged above the lower row of bundles one or more rows'of bundles with each row resting on separating or supporting members 4 arranged therebetween and the row of bundles positioned therebelow so as to space the bundles from each other in a vertical plane.

In Figure 4 of the drawing there is shown, according to the present invention, one method of wrapping the bundles together so a to prevent the shifting of the same relative to each other.

According to the method of wrapping shown therein, there is provided a plurality of relatively narrow metallic binding means, such as straps or bands 5, preferably about 1 in width and of the proper length. After the bundles of material have been placed on the car or vehicle and arranged as above described, a metallic band 5 is arranged around a plurality of bundles, preferably at a point from 18 to 24 from each end thereof so as to provide a plurality of individual units, with each of the units consisting of at least two of the bundles in the lower row and two bundles of the upper row positioned immediately thereabove, in the following manner. Each of the metallic bands 5 of each unit is directed first around the outside of the four bundles, namely, bundles 6, I, 8, and 9, as shown in Figure 4, thence down between the upper and lower bundles, that is, between thebundles 6, 8 and I, 9, around the bottom and the outer side of the opposed lower bundle 9 and up and around the outer side and top of the upper bundle I positioned immediately thereabove, again down between the upper and lower bundles 6, 8 and 1, 9 and around the bottom and outer side of the other lower bundel 8 and up and around the outer side and top of the upper bundle 6 positioned immediately thereabove. The opposed ends of the respective metallic bands or straps are then securely fastened together as at l2, preferably by means of a conventional sealing means. Thus, it will be seen thatthere has been provided a plurality of individual units adjacently arranged upon the car with each unit consisting of four bundles, so that the four bundles, respectively, of each unit are firmly bound together bya metallic band arranged therearolund, adjacent each end thereof, so as to provide a series of compact units.

There is also'provided a plurality of similar metallic straps or bands ID for binding the adjacent individual units together. The metallic bands I!) are directed down between the upper and lower bundles of one of the units, as shown in Figure 4 and over under the adjacent lower bundles 8 and 9 of the units and up between the adjacent lower and upper bundles of the adjacent unit. The opposed ends of the respective bands are then securely fastened together as be- ,fore, above the bundles as at I3. It will then be seen that the individual units and bundles: are then firmly bound together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles relative to each other and to the transportation vehicle during transit.

In Figure 5 of the drawing, there is shown,

according to the present invention, another 'low, down between the lower bundles 8 and Si and a turn or two around the opposed lower bundle 8, again down between the lower bundles 8 and 8 and a turn or two around the first mentioned lower bundle 9 over between both the upper bundles B, 1 and the lower bundles 8, 9 and up, and approximately one and one-half turns around the opposed upper bundle 6. The opposed ends of the respective metallic straps or bands 5 are then securely fastened together as at I! above the bundles of the respective units, preferably by a sealing means as before, so that the four bundles, respectively, of each unit are firmly bound together so as to provide a series 4 of compact units.

There is shown in Figure 6 still anothermetha.

least six bundles. A before, there is provided a plurality of metallic bands or straps 5 and the metallic bands are first directed around the outer side of one of the bundles, preferably bundle i5, in the upper row and across and between the bundles I4 and IS in the uppermost row and the bundles l6 and H in the middle or intermediate row, down around the outer side of the opposed bundle IS in the intermediate row across and between the bundles l6 and H of the intermediate row and the bundles l8 and IQ of the lowermost row and around the outer side of the bundle IQ of the lowermost row, thence around the bottom of the lowermost bundles l8 and I9, up between the lowermost bundles l8 and I9, and the bundles I6 and I! of the intermediate row, around the outer side of the bundle H in th intermediate row and up between the bundles l6 and ll of the intermediate row and the bundles I 4 and i5 of the uppermost row and around the outer side of the bundle ll of the uppermost row to the top of theunit. The opposed ends of the respective upper, intermediate, and lower bundles of one of the units and over and under the adjacent lowermost' bundles l8 and IQ of adjacent units and 'up between the adjacent lower, intermediate, and

upper bundles of the adjacent unit to the top of the bundles. The opposed ends of the respective metallic straps are then securely fastened together as before, as at I3, so as to securely bind the individual units together.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided'an improved means for wrapping bundles of metallic rods, bars, and the like, so that they will be securely positioned at all times upon the car or transportation vehicle and will not tend to shift from position during transit. It will also be seen that the improved wrapping means of my invention can be easily and conveniently applied to the bundles in a minimum amount of time and the same can be removed therefrom withthe least amount of eflort when the bundles of material have reached their point. of destination.

While I have shown and described several specific embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that these embodiments are merely for the purpose ofillustration and description and that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention, as defined in the aprow, in side by side relationship upon the trans- 0d of wrapping the bundles togetheraccording to the teachings of the present invention. This construction is designed primarily for wrapping bundles together wherein there are more than two rows of bundles arranged one above the other, and in the present case there is shown three rows of bundles. In this construction, each of the individual units, as shown, consists of at portation vehicle and with 'one row placed on top of the other, means arranged between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each end thereof whereby there is provided a plurality of individual units with each of said units cohsisting of a plurality of bundles firmly bound together by said binding means, said binding means passing around and between at least'two bundles. 'of the lower row and two bundles of the-upper row so that said bundles are firmly bound toextending down between the bundles of the lower and upper rows of adjacent'units whereby the units and bundles are firmly bound together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and the bundles relative to eachother and to the vehicle during transit.

2. A shipping unit for shipment of longitudinally extending metallic articles and the like comprising aplurality of bundles arranged in a row, in side by side relationship upon the transportation vehicle and with one row placed on top of the other, means arranged between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each other, a continuous metallic band arranged 1 so that said bundles are firmly bound together to form a unit, and another metallic band extending down between the bundles of the lower and upper rows of adjacent units. whereby the units and bundles are firmly bound together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the unitsand the bundles relative to each other and to the vehicle during transit.

3. A shipping unit for shipment of longitudinally extending metallic articles and the like comprising a plurality of bundles arranged in a row in side by side relationship upon the transportation vehicle with at least one row of bundles similarly arranged thereabove, means arranged between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each other, a continuous binding means arranged around a number of said bundles adjacent each end thereof whereby there is provided a pluralityof individual units with each of said units consisting of at least four bundles firmly bound together by .said binding means,

said binding means passing around and between at least two bundles of the lower row and two bundles of the upper row so that said bundles are firmly bound together to form a unit, and another binding means extending down between the bundles of the lower and upper rows of adjacent units whereby the units and bundles are firmly bonded together and are adjusted to be held. securely in position-so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles relative to each other and to the vehicle during transit.

4. The method of preparing longitudinal-1y extending metallic articles and the like for shipment which comprises placing a plurality of bundles in a row in side by side relationship upon the transportation vehicle, similarly placing at least another row of bundles above said first row so as to provide an upper and lower row of bundles, arranging means between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each other, placing a binding means around a number of said bundles adjacent each end thereof so as to provide a plurality of individual units with each of said units consisting of at least four bundles, two arrangedabove the other two of the bottom row, each of said binding means of each unit being directed around and between the upper and lower bundles of the'respective units with the opposed ends of the respective binding means being securely fastened together above theirv respective units so that the bundles of the respective units are firmly the lower row and two bundles of the upper row bound together thereby, and placing a binding means around at least two of the bundles of adjacent units by directing the same down between the upper and lower bundles of one of the units, over under the lower bundles and up between the adjacent lower and upper bundles of the adjacent unit with the opposed ends of the respective binding means being securely fastened together above the bundles whereby the units and bundles are firmly bound together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles rela-- tive to each other and to the vehicle during transit.

5. The method of preparing longitudinally extending metallic articles and the like for shipment which comprises placing a plurality of bundles in a row in side by side relationship upon the transportation vehicle, similarly placing another row of bundles above said first row so as to provide an upper and lower row of bundles, arranging means between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each other, placing a metallic binding band around a number of said bundles adjacent each end thereof so as to provide a plurality of individual units with each of a said units consisting of at least two of the bundles in the lower row and at least two of the bundles in the upper row positioned immediately thereabove, or four bundles, each of said metallic bands being directed first around the outside of the four bundles, thence down between the upper and lower bundles,'around the bottom of the opposed lower bundle and up and around the outer side and top of the upper bundle immediately thereabove, again down between the upper and lower bundles, and around the bottom and outer side of the other lower bundle and up and around the outer side and top of'the upper bundle immediately thereabove, andsecurely fastening the opposed ends of the respective bands together so that the four bundles, respectively, of each unit are firmly bound together thereby, and. finally placing'a metallic band around two of the bundles of adjacent units by directing the same down between the upper and lower bundles'of one of the units, over under the lower bundles and up between the adjacent lower and upper bundles of the adjacent unit and securely fastening the opposed ends of respective bands together above the bundles, whereby the units and bundles are firmly bound together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles relative to eachother and to the vehicle during transit.

6. The method of preparing longitudinally extendingmetallic articles and the like for shipment which comprises placing a plurality of bundles in a row in side by side relationship upon the transportation vehicle, similarly placing anotherrow of bundles above said first 'row so as to provide an upper and lower row of bundles,

the opposed upper bundle with the opposed ends of the respective bands being securely fastened together about the bundles of the respective units so that the four bundles, respectively, of each unit are firmly bound together, and finally placing a metallic band around two of the bundles of adjacent units by directing the same down between the upper and lower bundles of one of the units, over under the lower bundles and upbetween the adjacent lower and upper bundles of the adjacent unit and securely fastening the opposed ends-of respective bands together above the bundles, whereby the units and bundles are firmly bound together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles relative to each other and to the vehicle during transit;

7. The method of preparing longitudinally ex tending metallic articles and thelike for shipment which comprises placing a plurality of bundles in a row in side by side, relationship upon the transportation vehicle, similarly placing at least one row of bundles thereabove, arranging means between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each other, placing a binding means around a number of said bundles adjacent each end thereof so as to provide a plurality of individual. units with each of said units consisting of at'least some of saidbundles in the lowermost row and some of the bundles in the uppermost row, each of said binding means of each unit being directed first around the outer side of one of the uppermost bundles and over between the.bundles of the uppermost bundles and the lowermost bundles, thence around the outer side of the lowermost bundle, over and around the bottom of the lowermost bundles, and up and over between the lowermost and uppermost bundles, around the opposed uppermost bundle with the opposed ends of the respective binding means being securely fastened together above their respective units, and placing a binding means around at least two of the bundles of adjacent units by directing the same down between the upper and lower bundles of one of the units over under the lower bundles and up andbetween the adjacent lower and upper bundles of the adjacent unit with the opposed ends of the respective binding means being securely fastened together above the bundles, whereby the units and bundles are firmly bound togetherand are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles least another row of bundles above saidfirst row so as to provide an upper and lower row of bundles, positioning means between each of said bundles for spacing the same from each other,

placing a continuous binding means around and.

ends of the respective binding means together above their respective units so that the bundles of the respective units are firmly bound together thereby, placing another binding means around at least two of the bundles of adjacent units by directing the same down between the upper and lower bundles of one of the units, over and under the lower bundles and up between the adjacent lower and upper bundles of the adjacent unit, and finally attaching-the opposed ends of the last mentioned binding means together above the bundles whereby the units a'nd bundles are firmly bound'together and are adapted to be held securely in position so as to prevent movement of the units and bundles relative to each other and to the vehicle during transit.

DON F. HEDGES. 

